S 4998 — A bill to amend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 to prohibit the use of authorities under such Act to surveil United States persons and to prohibit the use of information acquired under such Act in any criminal, civil, or administrative proceeding or as part of any criminal, civil, or administrative investigation.

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced in Senate Current html July 15, 2026

From the bill's own amending language, matched to the official United States Code (current through Public Law 119-121).

Also cites: 18 U.S.C. § 3127

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill prohibits the use of surveillance authorities on United States persons and restricts the use of related information in legal proceedings.

• 50 U.S.C. 1801

  TITLE IX--LIMITATIONS SEC. 901. LIMITATIONS ON AUTHORITIES TO SURVEIL UNITED STATES PERSONS AND ON USE OF INFORMATION CONCERNING UNITED STATES PERSONS. (a) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Pen register and trap and trace device.--The terms 'pen register' and 'trap and trace device' have the meanings given such terms in section 3127 of title 18, United States Code. (2) United states person.--The term 'United States person' has the meaning given such term in section 101. (3) Derived.--Information or evidence is 'derived' from an acquisition when the Government would not have originally possessed the information or evidence but for that acquisition, and regardless of any claim that the information or evidence is attenuated from the surveillance or search, would inevitably have been discovered, or was subsequently reobtained through other means. (b) Limitation on Authorities.--Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, an officer of the United States may not under this Act request an order for, and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court may not under this Act order-- (1) electronic surveillance of a United States person; (2) a physical search of a premises, information, material, or property used exclusively by, or under the open and exclusive control of, a United States person; (3) approval of the installation and use of a pen register or trap and trace device to obtain information concerning a United States person; (4) the production of tangible things (including books, records, papers, documents, and other items) concerning a United States person; or (5) the targeting of a United States person for the acquisition of information. (c) Limitation on Queries of Information Collected Under Section 702.--Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, an officer of the United States may not conduct a query of information collected pursuant to an authorization under section 702(a) using search terms associated with a United States person. (d) Limitation on Use of Information Concerning United States Persons.-- (1) Definition of aggrieved person.--In this subsection, the term 'aggrieved person' means a person who is the target of any surveillance activity under this Act or any other person whose communications or activities were subject to any surveillance activity under this Act. (2) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (3), any information concerning a United States person acquired or derived from an acquisition under this Act shall not be used in evidence against that United States person in any criminal, civil, or administrative proceeding or as part of any criminal, civil, or administrative investigation. (3) Use by aggrieved persons.--An aggrieved person who is a United States person may use information concerning such person acquired under this Act in a criminal, civil, or administrative proceeding or as part of a criminal, civil, or administrative investigation.

  This addition establishes strict limitations on surveillance activities involving United States persons and prohibits the use of such information in legal proceedings.

• 50 U.S.C. 3001

  TITLE IX--LIMITATIONS Sec. 901. Limitations on authorities to surveil United States persons and on use of information concerning United States persons.

  This amendment adds a new title outlining limitations on surveillance and use of information related to United States persons under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

• 50 U.S.C. 3001 note

  limitation on acquisition.--Where authority is provided by statute or by the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to perform physical searches or to acquire, directly or through third parties, communications content, non-contents information, or business records, those authorizations shall provide the exclusive means by which such searches or acquisition shall take place if the target of acquisition is a United States person.

  This addition establishes that authorizations for physical searches and acquisitions targeting United States persons must be exclusively obtained through specific legal channels.

• 50 U.S.C. 3001 note

  limitation on use in legal proceedings.--Except as provided in paragraph (5), any information concerning a United States person acquired or derived from an acquisition under Executive Order 12333 (50 U.S.C. 3001 note; relating to United States intelligence activities), or successor order, shall not be used in evidence against that United States person in any criminal, civil, or administrative proceeding or as part of any criminal, civil, or administrative investigation.

  This stipulation ensures that information obtained under certain Executive Orders cannot be used against United States persons in legal contexts.

• 50 U.S.C. 3001 note

  use by aggrieved persons.--An aggrieved person who is a United States person may use information concerning such person acquired under Executive Order 12333, or successor order, in a criminal, civil, or administrative proceeding or as part of a criminal, civil, or administrative investigation.

  This provision allows U.S. citizens targeted by surveillance to utilize information gained from such surveillance in their defense during legal proceedings.

Action History

1. July 15, 2026

   Introduced in Senate

2. July 15, 2026

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Sponsors

• Rand Paul · Primary

Subjects